Margaret Anna Kamper

Margaret Anna Kamper, age 94, was welcomed into the presence of her Lord and Savior on August 26, 2016. She was born June 21, 1922, in Rudyard, Michigan, to Andrew and Anna (Folkersma) Ploegstra. Margaret died at Rest Haven Homes in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Margaret grew up in Rudyard and graduated from Rudyard High School. As a young woman, she lived and worked in Grand Rapids for five years where she trained to become a Licensed Practical Nurse and then worked at Pine Rest Christian Hospital. She returned to Rudyard and married James “Jim” Kamper on June 13, 1946. In addition to raising their children, Margaret and Jim cared for many foster children of all ages. After Jim died in 1983, Margaret worked as a private caregiver. Margaret was a member of the Christian Reformed Church and the Rudyard Senior Citizens. She was an avid reader and Scrabble player. As long as she was able, she wrote letters to family members on a weekly basis, keeping them up on the happenings at home in Rudyard. Many friends also received cards from Margaret which always contained a personal note. Margaret will be lovingly remembered as a true and faithful servant of God who always put the needs of others before her own. Margaret is survived by her children, Merv (Becky) Kamper of Hudsonville, Michigan, Dennis (Myrna) Kamper of Greeley, Colorado, Donna Meyer of Pickford, Michigan, JoAnn (Gary) Devries of Hudsonville, Andy (Karen) Kamper of Grand Rapids, Roger Kamper of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, and Deborah Armstrong; twelve grandchildren, Rachel, Sara, Christyn, Tim, Aric, Wayne, Nick, Ben, Jessica, Ryan, Jeremy, and Jordan; and fifteen great grandchildren. She is also survived by sisters, Thelma (John) Drenth of Ellsworth, Michigan, and Ellen (Arie) Van Eek of Waterdown, Ontario, Canada; brothers-in-law, Virgil Ball and Arthur Stejskal; sister-in-law, Wilma Decker; and many nieces and nephews. Margaret was preceded in death by her husband, Jim in 1983; son-in-law, Arnold Meyer; sisters Gertrude (Elmer) Besteman, Esther Ploegstra, and Shirley (Howard) Hesselink; brother, Herman Ploegstra; sisters-in-law, Annette Ball and Alice Stejskal; and brothers and sisters-in-law, Gertrude (Glenn) Nettleton, Marjorie (Barney) Nettleton, and Melvin (Janette) Kamper. A Memorial Service will be held Thursday, September 22, at 1:30 P.M. at Rest Haven Homes, 1424 Union Avenue N.E., in Grand Rapids. Visitation and a funeral service will be held Saturday, September 24, at the Christian Reformed Church, 17970 S. Tilson Road in Rudyard. Visitation will be held from 11:00 A.M. until 1:00 P.M. with the funeral service starting at 1:00 P.M. Burial will be in North Rudyard Township Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be sent to Rest Haven Homes, 1424 Union Ave. N.E., Grand Rapids, MI 49505.

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Margaret Anna Kamper

June 21, 1922 - August 26, 2016